839 manholes covered with protective iron mesh: BMC to HC

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) told the Bombay High Court today that it has completed the work of installing protective iron meshes over manholes in flood-prone areas of the city.

The civic body, in an affidavit submitted to a division bench headed by Justice R M Savant, said 839 manholes, that were identified in the city's flood-prone areas, have been covered.

Stating that there had been progress, the high court told the BMC to ensure warning signs were put up near manholes opened for any kind of work.

"Some red flags or a warning post should be placed near an open manhole. The corporation should also ensure all manholes are maintained and repaired during the pre-monsoon season," Justice Savant said.

The high court said the corporation should also create public awareness so that people do not open manholes on their own.

The court was hearing a PIL filed by the Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Association after the death of a city-based doctor last year.

Dr Deepak Amrapurkar, a gastroenterologist at the Bombay Hospital, had died in August last year after he fell into an open manhole. The cover of the manhole had been illegally removed by some locals to allow rain water accumulated on the road drain out.